TOURISM ALLIANCE REPORT – JULY 2003

Thursday 31 July 2003, 11:52 AM

Richard Tobais OBE, Deputy Chairman of the Alliance gives an update on Alliance activities during July.

KEY LOBBY ISSUES
Thank you to all members who responded to the review and consultation process of the Tourism Alliance's primary lobbying issues. Following the consultation period, the following issues will, from September 2003, form the backbone of the Tourism Alliance lobbying strategy for the next twelve months.
Other issues previously noted, and issues highlighted in the Tourism Alliance document 'Priorities for Tourism – First Year Review' published in June will also form part of our core activities.
Positioning of tourism – positioning the tourism industry to ensure that Government fully recognises the industry's contribution to the economy
Burden of taxation – lobby for a reduction in tax and other fiscal burdens hampering the industry's growth
Transport infrastructure – ensuring an adequate transport infrastructure, stressing such a structure in relation to the tourism industry
Funding for tourism – ensuring adequate and sustainable investment from public bodies for the promotion of tourism
Skills & Training – raising skills within the tourism and hospitality industry
TOURISM ALLIANCE CONSTITUTION
Following the decision to introduce new funding arrangements for the TA from 2004, the TA Constitution is currently being reviewed to ensure comprehensive Executive Group representation. A revised Constitution will be presented to TA members later in the year.
FUNDING 2004
Thank you to all members who have returned the Data Capture Form sent to you recently. This will enable the Secretariat to maintain an accurate contact database and correctly assess the appropriate level of TA subscription for next year. If you have not yet completed and returned the form please do so without delay. If you have misplaced the form please contact Karishma karishma.chandaria@cbi.org.uk or telephone 0207 395 8246.
TOURISM PROSPECTUS
You will recall that the DCMS and the Tourism Alliance are co-producing a 'Tourism Prospectus', due to be published in the autumn. The document will, in part, be a 'road-map' for Britain's tourism and hospitality industry. A draft of the key points contained within the document will be sent to all Tourism Alliance members for comment shortly.
TOURISM ALLIANCE WORKING PARTIES
The Tourism Alliance is the pan-industry body representing your interests to central government and others. One of the key objectives is to ensure that all sectors of the industry are properly represented. At a recent Executive Group meeting a decision was taken to form working parties or committees to examine sectoral interests or concerns. If you would like to be a member of a committee reporting to the Executive Group please contact Karishma Chandaria in the TA Secretariat.
TOURISM ALLIANCE MEETING - NOVEMBER 17th
The next Tourism Alliance Plenary meeting is at the CBI Conference in Birmingham on 17th November. The keynote speaker is Sport & Tourism Minister, Richard Caborn, and other industry speakers will be confirmed within the next six weeks. All Tourism Alliance members (hopefully) will be able to attend and, in this instance, are welcome to invite one other senior member of your organisation to also attend. Please advise Karishma Chandaria if you wish an additional person to accompany you.
All Tourism Alliance members are also able to attend the CBI Black Tie Gala Dinner following the TA meeting. There are a few places left (as of today) and if you wish to attend early reservation is strongly advised. Again, please advise Karishma Chandaria if you wish to attend or return the Reservation Form sent to you recently.
ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GALA DINNER – NOVEMBER 5th
The Tourism Alliance is sponsoring a table at the All Party Parliamentary Dinner on November 5th in London. Invited guests include the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Places for this prestigious event are allocated on a 'first-come, first served' basis and early return of the Booking Form sent to you recently is strongly recommended.
OLYMPIC BID
Tourism Members may be aware that over 80 MP's have backed an Early Day Motion opposing London hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.
Whatever views individual members may have in respect of the merits of the bid, it is certain that the Olympic Committee will want to be assured that the bid has general public support. It would be very helpful if Tourism Alliance members would write to the TA Secretariat setting out views so that the TA is able to mount a robust commitment (or not!) to London’s bid.
MEETINGS
During the course of the past month I have held a number of meetings with representatives of many tourism industry organisations, and with Ministers and Officials – all in furtherance of the Alliance's objectives.
One of those meetings was with Trade Partners UK, with the objective of ensuring a better understanding and support from TPUK for inward and overseas financial aid for the tourism and hospitality industry.
EXECUTIVE GROUP
The Executive Group met on July 1st to review a number of issues, with the next meeting scheduled for 2nd September. Tourism Alliance members are invited to contact the TA Secretariat if there are any particular issues you wish the Executive Group to consider.
NEXT TOURISM ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER
Activities will slow this month as Parliament is in recess, Ministers and shadow ministers go off to ponder the future and both Karishma and Richard go off at various times on leave. It would be appreciated if Tourism Alliance Members would communicate with the Alliance by email during this period and be patient for a response. Normal service will be resumed in September! The next (and somewhat fuller) TA Newsletter will be at the end of September.
ends